Toll Free Numbers: 1-888-414-6513 0-808-189-1052, All Other Countries - +27 21 791 0878
Custom Safaris
Budget Safaris
Overland Tours Overlanding
Safari Blog
Family Safaris
Gorilla Trekking
Short Stay Tours
Adventure Travel
Other Tour Types
Family safari wildlife waterhole

Family Safaris in Southern Africa

Family Safaris in Southern Africa pricing is from R2795 $150 £120 €139 A$227 C$206 NZ$250 to R136962 $7365 £5881 €6833 A$11136 C$10074 NZ$12235 per person — a total of 63 tours ordered below from shortest to longest trip. You can make your own list of tours & safaris using the tour search →

14 Day Best of Southern Africa Safari

Priced from pps R78600 $4227 £3375 €3921 A$6390 C$5781 NZ$7022 Full pricing info
Change Currency
Kruger Safari lion
Tour Duration
14 days
Child Policy
Children of 8 years and older, travelling with accompanying parents or guardian, are accepted on this tour.
From Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Explore South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana on a lodge budget safari to Kruger National Park, Matobo Park, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Chobe & rhino sanctuary
Countries Visited
Botswana,  
South Africa,  
Zimbabwe
Top Destinations Visited
Chobe National Park,  
Kasane,  
Khama Rhino Sanctuary,  
Kruger National Park,  
Matobo National Park,  
Maun,  
Okavango Delta,  
Panorama Route,  
Pretoria,  
Victoria Falls

Cape Town to Victoria Falls Budget African Safari

Priced from pps R79099 $4253 £3396 €3946 A$6431 C$5818 NZ$7066 Full pricing info
Change Currency
Etosha Safari, Namibia
Tour Duration
18 days
Children aged 12 & over allowed
Children under 12 years are not accepted on this safari. Children from 12 to 17 years of age, must be accompanied by an adult.
From Cape Town to Victoria Falls
This budget African Safari from Cape Town to Victoria Falls explores South Africa, Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on an affordable African safari adventure.
Countries Visited
Botswana,  
Namibia,  
South Africa,  
Zimbabwe
Top Destinations Visited
Cape Town,  
Chobe National Park,  
Etosha National Park,  
Fish River Canyon,  
Kasane,  
Maun,  
Namib Desert,  
Namib Naukluft National Park,  
Okavango Delta,  
Swakopmund,  
Victoria Falls,  
Windhoek

37 Day Southern Africa Overland Tour: Cape to Joburg Camping Safari

Priced from pps R97550 $5246 £4188 €4867 A$7931 C$7175 NZ$8714 Full pricing info
Change Currency
Mozambique beach
Tour Duration
37 days
Children aged 8 & over allowed
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only. A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date. Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only. Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour. Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
Great 37-day Southern Africa Overland Tour: camping safari to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique & eSwatini - from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
Countries Visited
Botswana,  
Mozambique,  
Namibia,  
South Africa,  
Swaziland,  
Zimbabwe
Top Destinations Visited
Bazaruto Islands,  
Cape Town,  
Chobe National Park,  
Etosha National Park,  
Fish River Canyon,  
Hlane Royal National Park,  
Inhambane Tofo,  
Johannesburg,  
Kasane,  
Khwai River Area,  
Kruger National Park,  
Makgadikgadi Pans,  
Maputo,  
Maun,  
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary,  
Moremi Game Reserve,  
Namib Desert,  
Namib Naukluft National Park,  
Okavango Delta,  
Panorama Route,  
Sossusvlei,  
Swakopmund,  
Victoria Falls

Filter Tours by Price, Length & Destinations

Unsure of where, when or what to book? Talk to a friendly human!

Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.

The African Budget Safaris team

We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.

Talk to us today

What are Family Safaris in Southern Africa all about? by

In Southern Africa, the best destinations for budget family tours with kids are South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. These countries have good infrastructure, extensive tourism facilities and are amongst the most politically stable and safe destinations in Africa.

Accommodation standards are generally high and the game parks and protected areas are well-managed. These Southern African countries offer an impressive variety of accommodation options and many of the bigger cities are surprisingly cosmopolitan and modern.

Southern Africa also boasts plenty of sunshine and excellent weather for the great outdoors.

Budget Family Safaris in South Africa

Our top pick for budget family holidays with kids is South Africa, where we are based. Our travel team is largely South African, but our recommendation is not biased, South Africa really is fantastic for affordable family safaris.

South Africa wins hands down on two main fronts: diversity and value-for-money. The country offers an unbeatable range of activities, habitats, plants and animals, as well as remarkable cultural diversity. In terms of expense, family safaris in South Africa are generally more cost-effective than in Botswana and even Namibia.

Best of South Africa family safaris

  • South Africa is largely malaria-free making it ideal for families with younger kids. Excellent malaria-free game parks include Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg, Waterberg, Addo and Eastern Cape reserves. Top malaria-free travel regions include the Cape Town and the Western Cape, the Garden Route and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Good roads and infrastructure.
  • Plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets.
  • Diverse and scenic - known as “a World in One Country”
  • A well-rounded destination offering a lot more than wildlife safaris - beautiful beaches, lofty mountains, expansive semi-deserts, vibrant cities, rich histories and unique cultural experiences.
  • Plenty of sunshine and good weather.
  • Countless game reserves and well-managed national parks.
  • Some of Africa's most affordable family holidays, offering excellent value for money.
  • Numerous self-drive options for adventurous families that want to travel independently.

Tips for Family Travel in South Africa

  • South Africa is a big country, so visiting different destinations on an overland trip will entail long drives as the travel distances between regions are great.
  • In certain areas, especially in the bigger cities, crime can be an issue. With a bit of planning, and common sense it is easy to travel safely. If in doubt, ask for expert local advice.
  • Kruger National Park and the private reserves around it are malaria risk areas. The Mpumalanga and Limpopo Lowveld and northern KwaZulu-Natal (Maputaland coast) are the only malaria areas in the country. In winter the malaria risk is lower but anti-malaria precautions are still advised. We also recommend travelling to these areas with kids aged 8 and older (some lodges only allow kids aged 12 years and older).

Family Safari Tours in Namibia

Namibia is renowned for its striking desert landscapes and impressive geographical features. It is a visually extraordinary place. If you have any budding photographers in the family then Namibia is a sure win. Wildlife enthusiasts and adventure-seekers will be equally thrilled with Namibia as a family safari holiday destination.

Safety is one of the key reasons Namibia is ideal for African family safaris. In addition to being one of Africa’s safest destinations, Namibia also boasts excellent infrastructure and good roads. Accommodation is generally of a high standard and its protected areas are by-a-large well-managed and maintained.

Best of Namibia Family Safaris

  • Incredible landscapes, open spaces and desert experiences.
  • Unusual animals, plants, geographic features and rock formations.
  • Excellent game viewing, especially in Etosha Park.
  • Exciting adventure activities in Swakopmund and the Namib Desert.
  • No special vaccinations are required (unless visiting Caprivi/Zambezi region) for travel to Namibia as it is malaria free.
  • Good infrastructure, roads and safety record.

Tips for Family Travel in Namibia

  • Namibia is a vast country where long distances need to be travelled between destinations, often on dusty roads through arid regions. Take the challenge of driving great distances into account when planning your trip, especially if your children are still very young. Try to break your trip into smaller sections and plan ahead (iPad, games, books) for the long roads.
  • As a desert country, Namibia is a hot and dusty destination with temperatures soaring over 30°C in summer months. In winter nighttime temperatures can plummet to below freezing out in the desert. Pack accordingly and time your trip outside of peak summer season, if you have family members who will struggle with the baking sun and heat.

Budget Family Safaris in Botswana

Botswana is one of the best countries in Africa for family safaris because of its pristine wilderness areas and abundance of wild animals. The jewel of Botswana, the Okavango Delta, offers a safari experience like none other with its winding waterways, peaceful lagoons and diverse wildlife. In Botswana, families can enjoy outstanding water-based game viewing on boat cruises and mokoro trips, in addition to game drives and scenic flights.

Botswana also has a well-established tourism industry serviced by good infrastructure and roads. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing safari accommodation as Botswana excels at unique, high-quality lodges and camps. Family safaris in Botswana are often a little more expensive than in neighbouring countries as it offers a more exclusive safari experience with lower visitor numbers.

Best of Botswana Family Safari Tours

  • Botswana is a safe travel destination with a well-established tourism infrastructure that makes travelling here easy and hassle-free.
  • The highlights of northern Botswana are relatively close to each other which reduces driving distances and times, making it more family-friendly.
  • Botswana’s safari destinations can easily be combined with Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe or Zambia) which is an added plus. The famous Vic Falls is one of the best destinations in Africa for adventure activities, but it is a malaria-risk area so precautions are advised and minimum age 8 years old is recommended.
  • Botswana is diverse with the semi-arid Kalahari Desert, watery Okavango Delta, Chobe plains, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and much more.
  • Exciting water-based activities for families - boat rides and mokoro (dug-out canoe) trips.

Tips for Family Travel in Botswana

  • Botswana has a distinctive rainy season from about December to March, so be prepared for wet conditions and muddy roads. The rainy season is best for Kalahari safaris but many Okavango Delta camps close during this time as the dirt roads become to muddy to navigate.
  • Botswana is primarily geared towards upmarket travel experiences which makes it a little more expensive. On the upside, a family safari in Botswana tends to be more exclusive with fewer crowds.
  • The most popular safari destinations lie in central and northern Botswana which are malaria risk areas, so anti-malaria medication is essential. Malaria risk areas are not recommended for families travelling with children under the age of 8 or pregnant women.

For help choosing the best African destinations and budget tours for your family holiday chat to one of our travel experts.

Browse all special offers here.

Got FOMO?

Sign up for our Safari newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest news and offers!

Sign Up Here